Starting as a motorcycle manufacturer in 1948, Honda expanded its business operations to include automobiles in 1963. Prior to that, founder Soichiro Honda (1906–1991) had his people construct the Suzuka Circuit in 1962, believing that a car could not be improved upon unless it was being raced. The first foray into this four-wheel avenue was the T360 truck, followed by the S500 sportscar in October 1963. Predictably, motorsport became embedded in Honda’s vision for his company, which included the automaker’s first participation in Formula 1 from 1964–1968, with only two victories coming in 1965 and 1967.
Welcome to the 90’s — where you could buy a Tamagotchi, supersize your McDonald’s fries, google the worth of your collectible Beanie Baby, pick up a Nirvana CD, and still make it home just in time to watch Friends on NBC. For petrolheads especially, the decade was nothing short of legendary.
The Honda Insight (ZE1) was powered by a 1.0-litre petrol three-cylinder with the firm’s VTEC variable camshaft profile technology, but that wasn’t even the Insight’s party piece. Instead of a conventional flywheel, it used a 2.5in thick 10kw electric motor
This modified 2002 can do it all: it’s a reliable daily, a manic track weapon, practical for the school run, a gleaming showstopper – but it’s hiding a surprise under the bonnet…
A long-held love of micro-vans and trucks meant that when Phil Egan spotted this odd little Acty up for sale, it was just too good an opportunity to miss.
The List Senna superfan tries the car his hero helped to develop: Honda’s NSX. Eddie wanted to drive the supercar developed by Ayrton Senna so badly that he drove for 12 hours to try one out…
